Information, Education, And Communication (IEC)

INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (IEC)

Information, education and communication (IEC) combines strategies, approaches and methods that enable individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities to play active roles in achieving, protecting and sustaining their own health.

IEC is the process of learning that empowers people to make decisions, modify behaviors and change social conditions.

Principles in Development of IEC:

—  Activities are developed based upon needs assessments, sound educational principles, and periodic evaluation using a clear set of goals and objectives.

—  IEC activities should never be developed or implemented independently from a broader reproductive health programme that is being designed and executed in the country.

—  IEC activities not only need to have an appropriate context in which they are shaped, but it is crucial that health service providers be prepared to respond to any demand that may be created as a result of effective IEC activities.

—  The influence of underlying social, cultural, economic and environmental conditions on health are also taken into consideration in the IEC processes.

—  Identifying and promoting specific behaviors that are desirable are usually the objectives of IEC efforts.

Channels of IEC:

• Channels might include

• Interpersonal communication (such as individual discussions, counseling sessions or group discussions and community meetings and events)
• Mass media communication (such as radio, television and other forms of one-way communication, such as brochures, leaflets and posters, visual and audio visual presentations and some forms of electronic communication).